CA1076830A - Static friction free altimeter - Google Patents

Static friction free altimeter

Info

Publication number
CA1076830A
CA1076830A CA291,416A CA291416A CA1076830A CA 1076830 A CA1076830 A CA 1076830A CA 291416 A CA291416 A CA 291416A CA 1076830 A CA1076830 A CA 1076830A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
altimeter
electrical
piezoelectrical
recited
housing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA291,416A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul W. Moseman (Jr.)
Russell F. Hart
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Bendix Corp
Original Assignee
Bendix Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Bendix Corp filed Critical Bendix Corp
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1076830A publication Critical patent/CA1076830A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01LMEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE
    • G01L7/00Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements
    • G01L7/02Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges
    • G01L7/10Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the capsule type
    • G01L7/12Measuring the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by mechanical or fluid pressure-sensitive elements in the form of elastically-deformable gauges of the capsule type with exhausted chamber; Aneroid barometers
    • GPHYSICS
    • G01MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01CMEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C5/00Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels
    • G01C5/06Measuring height; Measuring distances transverse to line of sight; Levelling between separated points; Surveyors' levels by using barometric means

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
  • General Electrical Machinery Utilizing Piezoelectricity, Electrostriction Or Magnetostriction (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Force Measurement Appropriate To Specific Purposes (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A piezoelectrical transducer for providing an altimeter with vibratory motion to attenuate the effect of static friction on the movement of a gear train responding to an altitude responsive aneroid.

Description

10768~
This invention relates to a vibratory apparatus for attenuating static friction in an altimeter havine an indicator driven by a low power sensor.
Since such low power sensors are responsive to the changes in pressure associated with changes in altitude, it is necessary that each incremen-t of torque developed by these sensors be transmitted to an ou-tput pointer without modifica-tion to assure that indicated altitude is the actual altitude.
Initially, it was thought that the vibrations produced ~ithin an aircraft would be sufficient to prevent static fric-tion. However, from observation it was observed that the indi-cator pointer movement was erratic, especially when the aircraft was operating on a smooth glide path.
Thereafter, it was suggested that a rotating eccentric vibrator or electrically driven thumper be attached to the hous-ing of the altimeter to attenuate static friction. While operating successfully to reduce static friction, such devices produce objectionable noise in the cockpit area of the aircraft, suffer from mechanical wearout, and thus fail to produce uniform results after a limited time period.
We have devised an altimeter with a piezoelectric transducer connected to the gear train of the altimeter which eliminates static friction without the creation of objectionable noise.
The present invention resides in an altimeter having a gear train driven by an altitude responsive member, with means for attenuating the frictional resistance of the gear train. According to the invention there is provided a housing connected to the gear train, the housing having a chamber located therein with a piezoelectrical transducer located in the chamber. Energy control means is provided for supplying the piezoelectrical transducer with cyclic electrical signals, rw~ - 2 - ~ -'` ~

1~)'76830 the cyclic electrical signals causing the physical dimensions of the piezoelectrical transducer to change and to transmit vibratory motion through the housing to the gear train to eliminate the effect of static friction thereon.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, the piezoelectric transducer, which is located in the housing, is encapsulated in a layer of insulating material. The insul-ating material, in addition to preventing the transmission of electrical energy between the pie~oelectric transducer and the housing, absorbs noise caused during the activation of the piezoelectric transducer by a cyclic electrical operational signal.
It is the object of this invention to provide an altimeter with a piezoelectric transducer connected to the gear train to attenuate static friction associated therewi-th.
In one embodiment of this invention there is provided ', an altimeter with a piezoelectric transducer responsive to an !:electrical signal derived from the operation of a four layer ~ ;
transistor diode device for attenuating static friction associa~
ted with a gear train through which a pressure responsive alti-tude sensor supplies an indicator with torque.
. These and other objects should be apparent from reading ~;
this specification and viewing the drawings. ~ ;
` BRIEF DESCRIPTIO~ OF THE DRAWI~G
The single figure in the drawing schematically illus-,- trates an altimeter and associated piezoelectrical transducer made according to the principles of this invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The altimeter 10 shown in the drawing is similar to the altimeter disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,916,185.
The altimeter has a pressure responsive sensor with a first aneroid 12 ancl a second aneroid 13 located in a chamber 1~ of ''' ' ', .. 3~ , ~ rw/~!
- - .. ~ . . .~ . ;

10761~30 a housing 16. The first aneroid 12 is connected to a shaft 18 through an arm 20. Ends 22 and 24 of shaft 18 are journalled in jeweled bearings 26 and 28 which are pressed into openings in housing 16. A sector gear 30, which is fixed to shaft 18, engages gear 32 on the aneroid output shaft 34. The second aneroid 13 is similarly connectecl to a shaft 19 which retains sector gear 36. The outpu-t shaft 34 is carried through opening 38 in wall 40 of housing 16. A clriver gear 44, which is fixed .~ to the end of the output shaft 34, positions a barometric input gear 42 adjacent wall 40. The driver gear 44 is connected to output shaft 46 .. ..
.. ~: . .

, . ...

, - ,, : ,~ , :, ,.,: ~ .
. .~ .
: . ~

.:
.~ .

rw~ - 3a -.; ~

1~376830 through reduction gears 48, 50 and 52. A pointer 54 attached to the end of shaft 46 is located over dial 56 to provide an operator with an indication of the altitude as measured by the aneroids 12 and 13.
A piezoelectrical transducer apparatus 58 which-is attached to the nousing 16 provides a controlled built-in vibration to compensate for static friction which can occur between the gears in the drive train of the altimeter 10.
In more detail, the piezoelectrical transducer apparatus 58 has a metal housing 60. The metal housing 60 has a base 62 and sidewalls 64 and 6~ ~hich extend from tne base 62. Tabs 68 and 70 radiate from the sidewalls 64 and 66 for engaging with a cover plate 72 to form a chamber 74 in the housing 60 for retaining a piezoelectrical crystal 76. The piezoelectrical crystal 76 is of a well known ceramic-type solution of lead-titanate and lead ~irconate. A layer of thermosetting resin or other insulator material 78 is located between the piezoelectrical crystal 76 and the metal housing 60 to prevent electrical communication from the piezoelectric crystal 76 to an electrical ground. First and second metal contacts 80 ' !
and 82, which are 1Ocated on opposite sides of the piezoelectrical crystal 76, are connected by lead lines 84 and 86, respectively, to the primary winding 88 of transformer 90 in a coupling circuit 92. The secondary winding 94 of the ; transformer 90 is located in an electrical supply circuit 9~.
The electrical supply circuit 96 includes a source of electrical voltage 98 connected to actuation switch 100. A first resistor 103 is located between switch 100 and a junction 104. The junction 104 is con-nec~ed to a capacitor 110 by a first lead lù6 and to a transistor diode 102 by a second lead 108. The transistor diode 102 is a single crystal silicon having four layers of distinctly different states of electrical conduction.
The transistor diode 102 has two stable states: (1) an "open" or high resistance state and (2) a "closed" or low resistance sta~e. The transistor diode 102 is switched from the first state to the second state by con-~07~830 .. . . .
trolling the voltage across it and passing current through it. A
resistor 114 is located between the transistor diode 102 and the secondary winding 94. The secondary winding 94 and the capacitor 110 are joined together at junction 116 and thereafter connected to electrical ground 118.
~ODE OF OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
The altimeter 10 is part of the equipment ehat a pilot of an aircraft must adjust and inspect as part of the preflight check out of the aircraft. Current barometric pressure must be obtained from control tower of an airport and fed into the altimeter 10 in order that the true ;~ 10 ground elevation is displayed in window 124 while the aircraft is on the ground. The current barometric pressure is transmitted into the altimeter throug~ knob 122 and displayed in window 120. Gear 126 which is sonnected `~ to knob 122 rotates gear 38 on shaft 34 to supply a corrective torque to `~ shaf~ 46 as gear 48 moves on stationary gear 44. This corrective torque ;
- causes the ground elevation indicated in window 124 to correspond to actual ground elevation of the airport.
Therea~ter, when the aircraft is airborne, the expansion and ~ contraction of the aneroids 12 and 13, in response to changes in pressure, - create a linear force which is transmitted into the sector gears 30 and 36 through shafts 18 and l9. Movement of sector gears 30 and 36 cause gear 32 to rotate and provide gear 44 with a torque indicative o~ the change in the pressure associated with a change in altitude. The rotation of gear 44 is modified through reduction gears 48, 50 and 52 to provide shaft 46 with sufficient torque to position pointer 54 at the elevation corresponding to that computered by the aneroids 12 and 13. !
When the aircraft is flying at a constant elevation, the entire gear train of the altimeter 10 from the aneroids 12 and 13 to the pointer 54 remains in a stationary position. Thereafter, with a change in elevation, the roeative torque re~uired to move shaft 46 must overcome static friction before pointer 54 moves. Such static friction causes the pointer 54 to _5_ appear to jump from one elevation to another instead of following a linear relationship.
In order to avoid stop-jump movement of the pointer 54, switch 100 is activated by the pilot in the preflight check out. With sw;tch 100 in the ON position, voltage from source 98 is communicated to junction 104.
This voltage is simultaneously transmitted to the transistor diode 102 and the capacitor 110. During this timD period, voltage is charging up the capacitor 110 and current flow through the transistor diode 102 is inhibited. When the voltage at the capacitor 110 reaches the breakover Yoltage of the transistor diode 102, the transistor diode 102 will switch to the closed or second operating condition. In this closed or second operating condition, the capacitor 110 is discharged to ground 118 as the current flows through resistor 11~ and the secondary winding 94 of the transformer 90. When the current level of the capacitor 110 approaches a complete discharge, the transistor diode 102 reverts to the open or f;rst operating condition and the charging up cycle begins again.
As the current flows through the secondary winding 94, a matching and amplified current signal is transmitted to the piezoelectrical crystal 76 through the coupling circuit 92. This amplified current signal causes the piezoelectrical crystal 76 to expand and exert a force through the insulator material 78 to housing 60. `~
Th~ duration of the amplified current signal in the matching circuit 92 follows the time period that the transistor diode 102 is in the closed condition. When the amplified current signal is removed from the piezoelectrical crystal 76, the expanded piezoelectrical crystal 76 reverts back to its original size.
The frequency of the amplified current signal in the matching circuit 92 is controlled by the charge-up time of capacitor 110 through resistor 103. A capacitor 110 is usually selected to control the output energy and frequency of the device.

.

~1~76830 By cyclicly applying the amplified current signal to the piezoelectrical crystal 76, the housing 60 sets up a vibratory force which is applied to housing 16 through base 62. This vibratory force is transmitted through housing 16 into shafts 34, 1~ and 19. The vibratory force which reaches gear 32 is sufficient to prevent static friction in the entire gear train conne:cted to pointer 54.
In addition, the insulation material 78 which surrounds the piezoelectric crystal 76 absorbs any noise created therein to prevent noise associated with the operation of the transducar apparatus 58 from ~ :~
being communicated into the cockpit of the aircraft.
' ~
"~ :;

.~ .

' ,` ~ ""

-7- ~

Claims (7)

WE CLAIM:
1. In an altimeter having a gear train driven by an altitude responsive member, means for attenuating the frictional resistance of said gear train comprising:
a housing connected to said gear train, said housing having a chamber located therein;
a piezoelectrical transducer located in said chamber; and energy control means for supplying said piezoelectrical trans-ducer with cyclic electrical signals, said cyclic electrical signals causing the physical dimensions of said piezoelectrical transducer to change and transmit vibratory motion through the housing to the gear train to eliminate the effect of static friction thereon.
2. The altimeter, as recited in claim 1, wherein said attenu-ating means further includes:
insulator means for surrounding said piezoelectrical transducer, said insulator means isolating said piezoelectrical transducer to prevent the transmission of said cyclic electrical signals into said housing.
3. The altimeter, as recited in claim 2, wherein said insulator means completely encapsulates said piezoelectrical transducer and fills said chamber to modify the amplitude of said vibratory motion.
4. The altimeter, as recited in claim 1, wherein said energy control means includes:
a source of voltage;

shaping means connected to said voltage for storing a pre-determined quantity of electrical charge in a fixed time period; and switch means responsive to said voltage and said predetermined quantity of electrical charge for allowing said predetermined quantity of electrical charge to be dissipated by flowing to an electrical ground and thereafter permit said shaping means to again store the predetermined quantity of electrical charge in said fixed time period.
5. The altimeter, as recited in claim 4, wherein said energy control means includes:
coupling means located between said switch means and the electrical ground for deriving said cyclic electrical signal from the flow of said predetermined quantity of electrical current to the electrical ground.
6. The altimeter, as recited in claim 5, wherein said coupling means includes:
a transformer with a primary winding located between said switch means and the electrical ground; and a secondary winding in series with the piezoelectrical transducer.
7. The altimeter, as recited in claim 6, wherein said energy control means includes:
a resistor located between said switch means and said electrical ground to limit the flow of electrical current through said switch means.
CA291,416A 1976-12-29 1977-11-22 Static friction free altimeter Expired CA1076830A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US05/755,277 US4052902A (en) 1976-12-29 1976-12-29 Static friction free altimeter

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1076830A true CA1076830A (en) 1980-05-06

Family

ID=25038471

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA291,416A Expired CA1076830A (en) 1976-12-29 1977-11-22 Static friction free altimeter

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US4052902A (en)
CA (1) CA1076830A (en)
DE (1) DE2758732A1 (en)
FR (1) FR2376398A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1540990A (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0413142A3 (en) * 1989-08-18 1991-10-02 Sarcem Automation Altimeter

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3387257A (en) * 1967-01-25 1968-06-04 Branson Instr Pulse circuit for pulse echo ultrasonic testing
GB1243270A (en) * 1969-12-22 1971-08-18 John Francis De Mayo Electromagnetically operated tapping device
US3831451A (en) * 1973-01-26 1974-08-27 Int Dynamics Corp Means for avoiding static friction

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2758732A1 (en) 1978-07-13
FR2376398A1 (en) 1978-07-28
GB1540990A (en) 1979-02-21
FR2376398B1 (en) 1980-08-22
US4052902A (en) 1977-10-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4025912A (en) Method and apparatus for remotely transducing and transmitting pressure and temperature changes
US3350944A (en) Strain gauge pressure transducer
US3541849A (en) Oscillating crystal force transducer system
US2638556A (en) Acceleration sensing device
US3719074A (en) Rotating-wave rotation detector and method of operating same
US4085349A (en) Piezo electric transducer for measuring instantaneous vibration velocity
US2800796A (en) Pressure measuring device
US2880333A (en) Accelerometer
GB718260A (en) Ceramic transducer for underwater sound transmission and reception
US2447817A (en) Temperature or pressure responsive variable frequency oscillator
US3828294A (en) Acceleration transducer having semiconductive piezoresistive element
US3002179A (en) Low frequency hydrophone
CA1076830A (en) Static friction free altimeter
US4473768A (en) Piezoelectric force-balance accelerometer system
US3201984A (en) Electric sensors and circuits
US3170076A (en) Accelerometer
US3113640A (en) Inertia coupled vibration damper mechanisms and fabrication thereof
US3769827A (en) Instrument for electrically measuring pressure changes
US3070996A (en) Mechanical impedance meter
US3113459A (en) Pressure measuring device
US2918817A (en) Fluid stream direction indicator with mechanical filter
US3381191A (en) Torque amplifier
US2557856A (en) Altimeter
US3230774A (en) Temperature measuring device
US2532781A (en) Torsional vibration pickup

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
MKEX Expiry